Gordon Brown likens Starmer's plans for slimmed down cabinet to rule under Chairman Mao

Starmer in regular talks with Blair ahead of election

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he talks to Sir Tony Blair "a lot" to draw on his experience of preparing for power in 1997. Sir Keir told Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine that he spoke to both Sir Tony and Gordon Brown about their experiences of moving from opposition into government. He said it had been "really helpful" to hear from the New Labour figures about how they got ready ahead of the 1997 landslide. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer celebrates in North Yorkshire

The Labour leader hailed the win by his party’s candidate David Skaith in the York and North Yorkshire mayoral election, an area he described as “the heart of Tory territory”. Appearing at Northallerton Town Football Club with new mayor Mr Skaith, Sir Keir said: “It’s an amazing moment in history, to have a Labour victory here.'' Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tory Mayor praises Keir Starmer

Conservative's Lord Houchen who has just has won a third term as Tees Valley mayor vowed to work with whoever is the prime minister after the general election. Ben Houchen praised the Labour leader for wanting to give mayors more power. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories Face Significant Bruising at Local Elections

Rishi Sunak experienced a significant by-election setback and faces further pain in council contests across England. Labour's Chris Webb secured victory in the parliamentary seat of Blackpool South, marking a noteworthy swing of 26.33% from the Tories. This victory for Sir Keir Starmer's party was accompanied by successful council wins in areas poised to be critical battlegrounds in upcoming general election. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories face significant bruising at local elections

Rishi Sunak experienced a significant by-election setback and faces further pain in council contests across England. Labour's Chris Webb secured victory in the parliamentary seat of Blackpool South, marking a noteworthy swing of 26.33% from the Tories. This victory for Sir Keir Starmer's party was accompanied by successful council wins in areas poised to be critical battlegrounds in upcoming general election. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer: This is a clear message for the PM

Sir Keir Starmer hails a ''cracking'' win in Blackpool South with Chris Webb achieving a swing of over 26% which the Labour leader claims "no one expected". Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

China-Taiwan tensions: Xi Jinping says nobody can stop 'family reunion' with Taiwan | Oneindia

Chinese President Xi Jinping conveyed to former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou on Wednesday that external interference would not impede the "family reunion" between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. He emphasised that all issues are open for discussion. Since the Republic of China government retreated to Taiwan in 1949 following a civil war loss to Mao Zedong's communists, no sitting Taiwanese leader has visited China. However, Ma, who served as president from 2008 to 2016, broke this pattern last year, marking the first visit by a former Taiwanese leader to China. This visit, Ma's second, occurs amid heightened military tensions in the region. #China #Taiwan #XiJinping #MaYingjeou #Tensions #FamilyReunion #CrossStraitRelations #Diplomacy #Geopolitics #EastAsia ~HT.97~PR.152~ED.101~